How I’ve Leveled Up My Career as a Woman of Color and How You Can Too
Diverse women in business should identify goals, seek mentors, and always remain authentic
I’ve been in the hospitality industry for as long as I can remember. While I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in this field, I also quickly realized that it wasn’t always a welcoming place for leaders who look like me.
As a young South-Asian woman, I’ve often had to fight to be taken seriously. Like many women in business, I’ve been talked over in meetings, told to dress differently, and have witnessed men be promoted ahead of more talented peers. These issues are particularly striking in the hospitality industry, where women make up a majority of the workforce, but lack representation in leadership roles. In the U.S. and Canada, this gender wage gap is widest for women of color.
A lot has changed in my lifetime, and I firmly believe that the face of business is transforming. Female founders and entrepreneurs are redefining leadership on a local and global level. Groups like Black Women of Hospitality and the Women’s Hospitality Initiative are bolstering this evolution, through providing opportunities, mentorship, and peer-support. But, we still have a long way to go, and women starting careers today may face barriers. Here’s what I wish I’d known when I was younger:
Lessons I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger and How I’ve Leveled Up as a Woman of Color
1. Don’t compromise your authenticity
As marketing director and then CEO, I’ve helped my family launch 30 hotels, and I’ve infused each space with my personal style and values. I’ve come to see my sense of taste and style as an asset, but it wasn’t always this way.
When I was about 20-years-old and working in different hotels, I had a manager who urged me to alter my appearance. She told me not to wear my hair naturally curly, that my earrings were too large, and that I needed to dress in blazers and suits. I thanked her for her advice but continued to wear what I wanted, because it felt inauthentic to present differently. I now believe that decision helped me stand out, and be seen as an expert in fashion and design.
2. Ask for help, even when it’s scary
As a young person, I spent my summers shadowing hospitality employees in every role. Much of that work was menial, but it’s often the most unglamorous tasks that teach you the most critical skills. The most important skill I gained, however, was learning to ask for help.
I was never given an instruction manual, which meant I had to get comfortable reaching out to my peers and managers. Learning to ask for help can help us avoid making harmful errors, and it also fosters important social connections — helping us build a network of peers and mentors.
3. Suggest new ideas, even if it means disrupting business as usual
When I first started, there wasn’t a lot of diversity in hotel management or executive leadership. I wanted that to change. As soon as I became CEO, I spearheaded an initiative to overhaul our company’s hiring practices to ensure they were merit based. In 2020, I also penned a public letter and recommendations for the hospitality community, calling for action to combat discrimination and bias.
Planning and promoting these efforts wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, when you make big moves, people will push back. These moments can be uncomfortable, but they’re essential stepping stones to building more equitable spaces.
4. Be open to connecting with mentors offline
When seeking out mentors, consider approaching people for in-person conversations or phone calls — even if you’re only asking for five to ten minutes of their time. As someone who relies heavily on email, texting, and LinkedIn, I know how easy it can be to relegate all professional interactions to these platforms. However, there’s truly nothing like getting to have a conversation with someone whose career you admire and respect. You’ll have their full attention, and discussions about sensitive topics may be easier.
When seeking a mentor, remember that they don’t have to share all the same identities as you. As long as they understand your industry, the barriers you’re up against, and have your best interests at heart, they’ll be able to provide you with helpful advice.
5. Don’t second-guess yourself in challenging situations
Women and women of color are likely to experience being talked over in meetings. I know I have. My number one piece of advice here is to trust your intuition, if you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing discrimination. My next piece of advice is to identify your goals: What do you need or hope to get out of the situation? It’s unlikely you’re going to permanently change the behaviors of an entire group of people, but if your priority is to have your voice heard, that may still be possible.
I’ve often sat patiently and for a lull in conversation. While it can be frustrating to wait, I’ve found that if I get the opportunity to speak, my ideas often move forward because of their value.
The world is changing, and we no longer need to model ourselves after the people who came before us. After all, the next generation of leaders will need role models and examples to look up to. Now is the time to forge that path.
